Washing machine tub cover

Abstract

A washer tub assembly that includes a washer tub, a basket mounted inside the washer tub, and a tub cover. The tub cover coupled to the washer tub at a top portion of the washer tub over the basket, and the tub cover defines a slot. A rim of the washer tub is disposed within the slot and included is a protrusion positioned in the slot between the rim and the tub cover. The protrusion configured to deform one or both of the washer tub and the tub cover along the vertical direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A washer tub assembly, comprising:
 a washer tub; 
 a basket mounted inside the washer tub; 
 a tub cover coupled to the washer tub at a top portion of the washer tub over the basket, the tub cover defining a slot, the slot positioned in the bottom of the tub cover, a rim of the washer tub disposed within the slot; and 
 a protrusion positioned in the slot between the rim and the tub cover, the protrusion configured to deform one or both of the washer tub and the tub cover along the vertical direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tub cover comprises a loop, which removably couples to a flange positioned on the washer tub, the loop and the flange provided in a plurality of pairs spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
       3. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tub cover comprises a flange, which removably couples to a loop positioned on the washer tub, the loop and the flange provided in a plurality of pairs spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
       4. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the washer tub assembly is configured for use in a vertical-axis washing machine. 
     
     
       5. The washer tub assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is set circumferentially equidistant between each of the plurality of pairs of the loop and the flange. 
     
     
       6. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed on the tub cover. 
     
     
       7. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed on the washer tub. 
     
     
       8. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a vertical length of the protrusion, is no less than two millimeters (2 mm) and no greater than ten millimeters (10 mm). 
     
     
       9. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a circumferential width of the protrusion is no less than five millimeters (5 mm) and no greater than twenty-five millimeters (25 mm). 
     
     
       10. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a radial depth of the protrusion is no less than one millimeter (1 mm) and no greater than four millimeters (4 mm). 
     
     
       11. The washer tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wash tub assembly comprises no more than four (4) protrusions. 
     
     
       12. A washer tub assembly, comprising:
 a washer tub with a mounting post extending radially from a cylindrical wall of the washer tub; 
 a basket mounted inside the washer tub; 
 a tub cover coupled to the washer tub at a top portion of the washer tub over the basket, the tub cover comprising a mounting loop defining an opening, the mounting post of the washer tub received within the mounting loop of the tub cover in order to couple the tub cover to the washer tub, the tub cover defining a slot, a rim of the washer tub disposed within the slot; and 
 a protrusion disposed between the rim and the tub cover, the protrusion configured to deform one or both of the washer tub and the tub cover along the vertical direction such that opposing surfaces of the mounting post and the mounting loop contact each other, the washer tub assembly comprising no more than four (4) protrusions. 
 
     
     
       13. The washer tub assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein the washer tub assembly is configured for use in a vertical-axis washing machine. 
     
     
       14. The washer of  claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is set circumferentially equidistant between the mounting loop. 
     
     
       15. The washer tub assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is formed on the tub cover. 
     
     
       16. The washer tub assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the protrusion is formed on the washer tub. 
     
     
       17. The washer tub assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the slot is positioned in the bottom of the tub cover. 
     
     
       18. A washer tub assembly, comprising:
 a washer tub with a mounting post extending radially from a cylindrical wall of the washer tub; 
 a basket mounted inside the washer tub; 
 a tub cover coupled to the washer tub at a top portion of the washer tub over the basket, the tub cover comprising a mounting loop defining an opening, the mounting post of the washer tub received within the mounting loop of the tub cover in order to couple the tub cover to the washer tub, the coupling of the mounting loop and the mounting post defining a fit-clearance; 
 a slot defined by the tub cover, a rim of the washer tub disposed within the slot; and 
 a protrusion disposed in the slot of the tub cover, the rim of the washer tub disposed within the slot; the protrusion configured to deform one or both of the washer tub and the tub cover along the vertical direction such that opposing surfaces of the mounting post and the mounting loop contact each other, 
 wherein a vertical length of the protrusion, is no less than two millimeters (2 mm) and no greater than ten millimeters (10 mm), a circumferential width of the protrusion is no less than five millimeters (5 mm) and no greater than twenty-five millimeters (25 mm), and a radial depth of the protrusion is no less than one millimeter (1 mm) and no greater than four millimeters (4 mm). 
 
     
     
       19. The washer tub assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the slot is positioned in the bottom of the tub cover. 
     
     
       20. The washer tub assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the wash tub assembly comprises no more than four (4) protrusions.